A new school for third- through fifth-graders would be built if Perkins-Tryon Public Schools, Okla., voters approve two bonds totaling $16.5 million next February.
Proposition 1 makes up the bulk of the total at $16,245,000, with a $255,000 Proposition 2 bond going to buy three new school busses.
"We need to pass a $16 million bond in order to get $12 million to build with," said Superintendent James Ramsey.
The bulk of first bond — $11,115,000 — would go toward a new 47,5000 square foot school which would be built east of Perkins-Tryon Elementary at the southwest corner of East Kirk Avenue and South Brush Creek Road.
The new school, which would be called Perkins-Tryon Upper Elementary, would include 24 classrooms, a multi-purpose gymnasium, media center, administrative area and a cafeteria constructed to double as a safe room.
Each of the three classroom wings would be built to accommodate future expansion.
The cafeteria would have a full kitchen, allowing meals to be prepared onsite, which is something the district can't do at the current Intermediate School, where third- through fifth-graders and the district administration is currently housed.
If the bonds pass, the new school could be ready for students as early as the 2020-21 school year and the Intermediate School -- which was built in the 1960s -- would be torn down.
"Every bond we have put before the voters since I've been here (2004) has passed," Ramsey said. "This district is blessed to have the support we have from the community."
Other planned projects from Proposition 1 include $100,000 to buy new band equipment, $80,000 to resurface the track, $120,000 for safety and security, $400,000 for technology upgrades ($100,000 per school site), $60,000 for new bleachers on the "home side" of the high school gym and $120,000 to install and HVAC system in that gymnasium.
Ramsey said having air conditioning for the first time will make graduation, sporting events and concerts much more comfortable.
The safety and security funds would go to upgrading both interior and exterior cameras at all four sites, according to Ramsey.
Winfrey Kinzie, long-time board member and current board president who is running unopposed in the Feb. 13 election, said taxes wouldn't go up if voters approve the 10-year bonds.
"Everyone in the district will be touched by this in some way," Kinzie said. "We are excited about this."
